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Travis Head feels the Ashes series against England has more tradition and history than the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but notes the growing rivalry with India.
Travis Head in Ashes (R) and at the Border-Gavaskar series (L) – AFP Images.
Travis Head was asked to take his pick between the age-old Ashes series against England and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India. The Australian international who has played key roles in both series reveals why one has the edge over the other.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with News18 CricketNext, Head opened up on why The Ashes has the edge over the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
“If you look at the two series, the Ashes in England and the last one was probably the two biggest series I played in. I still think traditionally the Ashes is going to be slightly bigger, but I think the competition between the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is closing in very, very closely. That rivalry has been strong. It’s been strong for a long period. It just needs more tradition, more history, and there’s no doubt that there’s no reason why it can’t match that. I think the intensity is matched. But there’s just a different feel with the Ashes is coming, and it’s been spoken about already for 18 months,” he shared in the interview.
“We’re still a long way away from it. I mean, we’re eight months away from it still. That’s all that mainly England is talking about. But it’s mainly that’s all it’s spoken about right now when we play a game in the Champions Trophy. What does this mean for the Ashes? It means nothing because it’s a one-day game. It’s getting paid for a test match. From my side of things, it means absolutely little. But there’s always that comparison. There’s not that quite comparison with Australia We haven’t played in India yet,” he added.
Head even suggested that comparisons are quite normal, but he sees the rivalry against India coming up to the same level with time.
“If we just play the series, what does it mean for when we come to India next time and all those things. A lot of comparisons is drawn in games that we play against England. But yeah, give it time. It’s the same intensity. It’s the same rivalry as such, but just a little bit more tradition with the Ashes,” he concluded.
After finishing as the leading run-scorer in Australia’s home series against India to end their 11-year wait for the win over India, Head will slowly be shifting his focus on the upcoming Ashes tour where he hopes to play a key role once again in retaining the urn.
But for now, Head is now focused on the Indian Premier League where he hopes to end the wait for the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a title with his explosive batting at the top of the order, partnering the equally dangerous Abhishek Sharma.
